Happy Childhood Riding

A Memory of Mottingham.

My sister, Paula, and I lived in Blackheath. Early in the 60s every Satuday we were lucky enough to have our father take us to Mottingham Riding School. I remember the first ponies we rode - little fat Squibs, Brownie and later Calico and Optimist (my favourite). I remember Mary our instructress, we'd have a lesson first then it was off over the fields for a canter, down into the stream and over the other side on to the "gallops" where we had a flat out gallop before going back up to the stables. I also remember Brad with his beautiful palamino Ready Token Lucky Coin, and how we'd all pile into the back of his Landrover and he'd take us all down to the village to buy lunch. I consider myself very priviledged to have been able to experience riding in such a wonderful place and am really pleased to know that Mottingham Riding School still stands. Next time I'm in the UK I'll try and visit.

Denise Cook

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Added 15 May 2015

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Hi Denise ! I have exactly the same memories ! Do you remember Jill , Sue , Joan Jackie ! Connie , Linda , Sandy and the ponies Merrylegs , Chester who escaped all he time , or the horses like Pink Gin or Thunder ? By the way the Stallion's name ended in Real Gold !
THANKS for your recollections , give us more if you can ,
Jo

By josforge on Sun Nov 13th 2016, at 12:59 pm

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Hi Jo, It's so nice to hear from someone with the same childhood memory. Who did you ride? Did you have lessons with Mary? Were you one of Brad's Landrover gang? Do you remember the two Cook sisters? No, I don't remember any of the girls you mention, we usually came with two sisters - Gillian and Patricia Huff, familiar? I do remember Merrylegs and Pink Gin though. My only other recollection was of a gymkhana held there - Paula won a yellow 3rd rossette and I think I was eliminated in the jumping, was riding Calico (we never did see eye to eye). Nevertheless, my passion for horses and ponies has continued, has been passed down to my daughter and grandson and we now live north of Rome, Italy in the country amongst the olive groves where my daughter runs her own pony club. Isn't life strange. How about you?

By denisecook on Mon Nov 14th 2016, at 1:11 pm

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THANKS for answering so fast , can you send me your email ?
Jo

By josforge on Mon Nov 14th 2016, at 7:43 pm

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Hi again Denise, yes I do remember Pat Huff , her name is just before mine on the Gymkana cup from 1966 !
Do you remember anyone else from that period?
Best wishes Jo
PS I still have horses here in a Provence in the South of France just like you !!

By josforge on Tue Nov 15th 2016, at 5:21 pm

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